Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale

' ... mother was stuck in quicksand ...'

A latter-day Procol encounter leaves a garrulous
fan speechless

Judith from Florida
wrote to BtP to wish us a happy fifth birthday, and included this affecting
memoir which we reproduce with her kind permission.

I live in Florida – I am from Michigan. I flip
around, and have been blessed to be around music-makers my entire life.
When I first heard Procol Harum I was 19 years young – I was mesmerized
from jump – I have had the privilege of enjoying so many wonderful concerts
– almost speechless, heart racing, until the musicians were visible. When
I heard Gary's voice and keyboards the first time I thought my heart would
explode.

What was so wonderful way back then my husband
was having the same experience – he played a B3.
I would listen to him practise 4-5 hours a day – without the band around.
These were back in the days when you went on the road – you had all the
equipment in addition to a Hammond B3 and two Leslies. Through the years
our children were raised on Brooker/Reid.

With Robin missing, we were devastated at first
– until we saw Gary, BJ, Matthew/or Chris C. and whoever was playing lead
– the magic was still wonderful – I would also go see Robin and realized
it was OK for him to be on his own – he was great with PH – however it
would become clear there were two groups playing as one.

Now for my own "something magic" . I am no longer
married to my first young love: my children are grown, I have remarried.
My children all love music – my son plays guitar, as well as my daughter
– and my youngest MJ sings – my brother plays guitar, my sister plays keyboards
– and it keeps going on. They all were growing up with a strong influence
from Procol Harum.

I had not seen them in over a decade – always
had the music – but there is something rejuvenating about a live concert.
I was getting concerned I would never be able to go to a live concert again
– just the memories. I live in St. Petersburg Florida: there is a little
square downtown called Jannus Landing,
set in the middle of a square block, with such great little shops, coffee
houses, and boutiques. In the middle is where the concerts are held – it's
open, has balconies and trees with benches around it. There is no other
seating – so you can imagine my amazement when I read in the local paper
that Procol Harum would be appearing at this intimate setting – not a huge
concert hall as it was in the 70s-80.

Two of my children were living here at the time.
They were not born when PH started. So we went, the three of us, and to
our surprise there were families there, friends one and all – sold out
– gets crowded fast – just perfect!

We went early went to the front and waited – with
the same feeling I had the first time I heard these remarkable musicians
– and Matthew was back. The concert seemed to be over even with two or
three encores – afterwards I again found myself speechless. Fortunately
my youngest daughter Maryjane, who was about only 15 or 16 at the time,
and fearless – after seeing her mother so into a different place for those
21/2 hours – went into the connecting pub and went up to Mr Brooker and
quickly told him of our family history on being raised on their music –
and that her mother was stuck in quicksand, asked him to wait right there
while she brought me out of that afterglow of the music (anyone who has
been to one of their concerts knows what I mean) and told me that Gary
wanted to talk to me!

She took my hand – lead me over to Mr Brooker
– all I could say was 'Thank you for sharing your music for all of my life'.
He was so nice – he asked me my name, I told him it was Judith, and he
said, 'Judith – I am going to change clothes,' Florida is hot and muggy
in August) and that he wanted to talk with my family.

In the meantime Matthew was chatting with one
of our friends – this is like a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence – beyond
dreams – so here we are, my son, my daughter and myself chatting with Matthew
– who was so nice and down-to-earth, joking in his shy manner – taking
pictures with the family ...

When Gary came back again I was speechless. Being
the professional he said, 'You're Judith, right?' and thanked me for bringing
my children to the concert. We chatted – took more pictures – and guess
what, he is real – he is human – he does appreciate his fans. Most of all
he seemed so humble.

Well for rambling on you probably can see me as
not a speechless person – just wanted to share what my "something magic"
experience of "An evening with Procol Harum" was like – also that was the
first time I experienced this wonderful music called "An evening with Procol
Harum" (about 30+ years ago).

Well thanks for all you do – just wanted to share
my personal history with these awesome music makers – just another story
of gratitude.